Hosted by the Northern California Chapter, the annual event provides future designers with a wealth of professional resources.
By Nicholas Tamarin
Looking to the Future
NKBA | KBIS is dedicated to supporting the next generation of student designers. A key initiative in this effort is the annual Student Design Symposium, a virtual, interactive conference designed exclusively for future kitchen and bath professionals. These events provide invaluable opportunities for students to learn from industry leaders, network with peers, and gain insights into the world of kitchen and bath design.
The NKBA Student Design Symposium and related initiatives play a crucial role in shaping the future of the kitchen and bath industry. By providing students with access to education, networking opportunities, and valuable resources, the NKBA empowers them to succeed in their design careers. These events and programs help to foster a vibrant and innovative community of future design professionals.
A Virtual Hub for Learning and Connection
The NKBA Student Design Symposium is hosted by the Northern California Chapter and supported by NKBA’s Learning Department. SDS offers a dynamic online experience, where students can register and access a wealth of resources and engaging sessions. These virtual events eliminate geographical barriers, allowing students from across the nation to participate and connect.
Interactive Sessions and Networking Opportunities
This year’s Student Design Symposium featured an impactful keynote presentation, “Designing a Business with Values and Purpose,” by Nureed Saeed, NKBA Northern California Chapter President and 2023 KBB Person of the Year.
Originally developed and directed by Sharon Washington, CKBD, of Eclexis Design, the Student Design Symposium includes concurrent sessions led by leading professionals in the field from across the U.S., Canada, and France. Washington, Northern California Chapter’s previous Programs Chair and Volunteer of the Year, expressed that it is an honor to lead the SDS program. “The speakers at SDS 2025 were fantastic and shared their values and professional expertise in such an accessible manner. Their passion for design and working with clients is contagious, and NKBA student members always appreciate and benefit from the opportunity SDS provides every year to interact with the speakers, as well as network and connect with peers and other industry professionals,” Washington said. Door prizes and sponsor giveaways added an element of excitement and fun to the event.
The SDS 2025 sessions included the following topics and speakers:
- Your Design Biz Starter Kit: The 5 Essentials + Your Design Website Roadmap
Rebecca West, Seriously Happy Coaching & Consulting
- Building Great Design Portfolios Through Story Telling
Andrea Tru, TruConcepts
- Adaptive Design: Molding Environments for A Neurodiverse Community
Cory Chaisson, NCIDQ, ASID, Professor of Interior Design, Collin College, Designer, COCO Design | Build
- Lighting in Unexpected Places
Kelly Inglis, Educator/Consultant, Lighting, Education, Design
- Appliances: What’s Hot, What’s Cool, What to Know
Steven Stafford, Trade Partner Lead and Senior Sales Associate, Airport Home Appliance
- Working with General Contractors: Insights for Successful Projects
Anna Janke, NCIDQ, WRID, Peridot Design Group, Waukesha County Technical College
Supporting Student Development
The NKBA’s commitment to student development extends beyond the symposium. The organization offers a range of benefits to student members, including:
- The NKBA | KBIS Student Newsletter, a quarterly e-newsletter featuring interviews with industry professionals, coverage of emerging design trends, and career development tips.
- Free membership for students from any post-secondary school, thanks to the support of Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove.
- Discounts on educational resources.
- Access to scholarships.
- Eligibility to enter the NKBA Student Design Competition, sponsored by Fisher & Paykel.
- Free webinars covering relevant industry topics.
- Access to the latest NKBA research reports.
- Participation in a local NKBA Chapter.
- A free expo pass for KBIS.
